Abstract: A system for normalizing capacity utilization within virtual storage pools includes collecting utilization statistics across individual storage devices that are members of a virtualized storage pool. Using the pool utilization level statistics, pool members may be assigned a score and, according to that score, may be marked as source, target or neutral members. Based on the scores of each pool member, data may be migrated among pool members, in particular, from source members to target members. The process may be iterative such that the statistics and scores may be used only to perform a fraction of the data movement that would be needed to normalize the storage pool before the scores are then recalculated. In this way, the system may dynamically adapt to changing conditions within the pool such as device additions, removals and inefficient striping of new data.

Abstract: A memory module having reduced access granularity. The memory module includes a substrate having signal lines thereon that form a control path and first and second data paths, and further includes first and second memory devices coupled in common to the control path and coupled respectively to the first and second data paths. The first and second memory devices include control circuitry to receive respective first and second memory access commands via the control path and to effect concurrent data transfer on the first and second data paths in response to the first and second memory access commands.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for performing storage operations on electronic data in a network. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a first set of selection logic, a media management component is selected to manage the storage operation. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a second set of selection logic, a network storage device to associate with the storage operation. The selected media management component and the selected network storage device perform the storage operation on the electronic data.

Abstract: System and method for distributing volume status information in a storage system. According to one embodiment, a system may include a plurality of volumes configured to store data, where the volumes are configured as mirrors of one another, and a plurality of hosts configured to access the plurality of volumes. A first one of the plurality of hosts may be configured to execute a mirror recovery process and to maintain a progress indication of the mirror recovery process, and the first host may be further configured to distribute the progress indication to another one or more of the plurality of hosts.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for reading configuration information from a multi-function device (MFD), building a dependency tree of a functional dependency of functions performed by the MFD based on the configuration information, which indicates that the MFD is capable of performing at least one function dependent upon another function, and loading software associated with the functions in order based at least in part on the indicated functional dependency. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods for managing the configuration settings of one or more servers within a business. The configuration management apparatuses and methods generally relate to creating a configuration schema; creating configuration items to assign to the configuration schema; assigning the configuration schema to one or more servers in the business; capturing a snapshot of the configuration settings for a server based on the configuration schema and assigning it to the configuration schema as the reference snapshot; capturing a current snapshot of the actual configuration settings for one or more servers; and comparing the reference snapshot with the current snapshot to determine the differences in the configuration settings. Embodiments of the present invention also allow a report to be generated that displays the differences between the reference snapshot and the current snapshot, such as the new settings, changed settings, and missing settings.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product discover relationships among items and recommend items based on the discovered relationships. The recommendations provided by the present invention are based on user profiles that take into account actual preferences of users, without requiring users to complete questionnaires. An improved binomial log likelihood ratio analysis technique is applied, to reduce adverse effects of overstatement of coincidence and predominance of best sellers. The invention may be used, for example, to generate track lists for a personalized radio station.

Abstract: Techniques to send and receive access commands are provided. The access commands may include an expected media position. The expected media position may be compared to an actual media position.

Abstract: For the purpose of optimizing the performance separation according to the usage status of the protocol and the storage system performance, in a storage system 1 including multiple storage devices 2400 which includes a storage controlling unit 2410 performing data write to or data read from a storage drive 2200 according to data input/output requests from an external device 1000 and a protocol processing unit 2514 that responds to a processing result for the input/output requests to the external device 1000 and is capable of responding to data input/output requests transmitted from the external device 1000 following at least two or more protocols, in which each of the storage devices 2400 includes a cluster processing unit 2516 configuring clusters 2811 with the other storage devices 2400 for the external device 1000 and a cluster processing unit 2516, the cluster processing unit 2516 is set to configure cluster groups 2812 for each protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dissolving the bottleneck issue of management task requested from management client to the storage virtualizer which consolidates externally attached storage arrays while providing a single management point of the entire system to the management client. Specifically, by utilizing the storage virtualizer to distribute received management tasks to respective external attached arrays, it can off load tasks, thus reducing the workload on the storage virtualizer itself. Because of the task distribution, the storage virtualizer consequently does not need to copy and hold detailed information of each storage volume in the respective attached storage arrays, thereby avoiding any inconsistent information between the arrays and the virtualizer when the configuration change has been done on the external array.

Abstract: Deadlock is avoided in a grid storage system having superior scalability. Provided is a storage subsystem connected to a host computer for receiving a write or read access from the host computer. This storage subsystem includes a plurality of modules respectively having a storage resource, a switch for connecting the plurality of modules, a controller for controlling the transfer of a packet based on the write or read access from the host computer to a target module among the plurality of modules via the switch, and a memory storing a transfer rule of the packet. The controller controls the transfer of the packet based on the transfer rule.

Abstract: A device for the secured start-up of a computer installation comprising a first connection interface to the computer installation and a second connection interface to an external data medium unit separate from the computer installation and which contains data and executable codes for a start-up program of the computer installation. The device also includes means for securing the use of data and executable codes and for transmitting data and executable codes of the start-up program from the external data medium unit via the second connection interface to the computer installation via the first connection interface, and after executing the means of security, to start-up the computer installation using transmitted executable codes and data.

Abstract: A technique of accessing a resource includes receiving, at a master scheduler, resource access requests. The resource access requests are translated into respective slave state machine work orders that each include one or more respective commands. The respective commands are assigned, for execution, to command streams associated with respective slave state machines. The respective commands are then executed responsive to the respective slave state machines.

Abstract: A method for offloading volume space reclamation operations to virtual tape systems is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, such a method includes writing instruction information to a virtual tape system for use in performing a reclamation operation on a source virtual tape volume. The instruction information identifies the source virtual tape volume as well as valid objects in the source virtual tape volume. The virtual tape system then transforms the source virtual tape volume by retaining valid objects in the source virtual tape volume, removing invalid objects in the source virtual tape volume, and updating metadata associated with the source virtual tape volume to reflect changes made thereto. This generates an updated source virtual tape volume of reduced size. A corresponding computer program product and system are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: A method for storing data including receiving a request to write data and in response the request, selecting a RAID grid location in a RAID grid to write the data. The method further includes writing the data to memory, updating a data structure to indicate that the RAID grid location is filled, identifying a parity value in the RAID grid to update, where the parity value is associated with a second RAID grid location in the RAID grid, updating the parity value using the data and the parity value to obtain an updated parity value and storing the updated parity value in the memory. Prior to the first data grid being filled determining a physical address in persistent storage corresponding to the RAID grid location and writing the data to the first physical address.

Abstract: A solid state drive (SSD) comprises an input/output interface and a memory controller. The input/output interface stores a plurality of input/output commands. The memory controller comprises first and second input/output contexts and an input/output scheduler. The first and second input/output contexts process input/output commands from the input/output interface in an alternating sequence. The input/output scheduler schedules operations of the first and second input/output contexts. In particular, the input/output scheduler suspends execution of a first input/output command by the first input/output context upon determining that an execution time of the first input/output command exceeds an interval before a deadline time. After suspending execution of the first input/output command, the input/output scheduler transmits a second input/output command to the second input/output context.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program operable in a network controls consistency guarantees of a plurality of data copies in a storage apparatus, and includes: a lease control component for extending a lease to the storage apparatus; and a consistency freeze/thaw component responsive to a failure indication for initiating a consistency freeze action at the storage apparatus prior to expiration of the current group lease period. It may further include a timer component for waiting the apparatus for a predetermined period after the consistency freeze action, where the consistency freeze/thaw component is operable to initiate a thaw action at the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A memory management device which is capable of allocating a memory unit accessible at a higher speed to data which is stored in a storage device having memory units different in access speed, without being limited in an storage area. The storage device comprises a BLC flash memory accessible at a predetermined access speed, an MLC flash memory accessible at a lower access speed than the predetermined access speed, a controller, and a RAM. The controller manages the BLC flash memory and the BLC flash memory in units each formed by a plurality of physical pages, and writes data in the physical pages, and the RAM holds page allocation information in which logical pages designated when writing data and the physical pages are associated with each other.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes first identification means for identifying, in accordance with information read from a disk medium and related to a format of data recorded on the disk medium, the format defined from a purpose of the recorded data and a version of the format; storage means for storing data in which the version and information on whether processing that can be executed is executable are associated; determination means for determining, in accordance with the version and by referring to the data stored in the storage means, whether processing that can be executed is limited; generation means for generating first image data for displaying a first image representing that the processing that can be executed is limited when the determination means determines that the processing that can be executed is limited; and display control means for controlling display of the first image in accordance with the first image data.

Abstract: A management system detects a peak time period during which accesses are concentrated on a logical page included in a logical volume, and reallocates this logical page to an appropriate physical page. A management server detects an access variation of each logical volume, and selects a volume with a large access variation as a target volume. The management server measures the access status of each logical page in the target volume, and allocates a logical page to a more appropriate physical page.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for writing code to access data arrays. One aspect provides a method of accessing a memory array. Data is provided within a one-dimensional array of allocated memory. A dimensional dynamic overlay is declared from within a block of statements, and the declaration initializes various attributes within an array attribute storage object. The data is accessed from within the block of statements as a dimensional indexed array using the array attribute storage object. Another aspect provides a method of creating and accessing a dimensional dynamic array. A dimensional dynamic array is declared from within a block of statements, and memory storage for the array is dynamically allocated. A dynamic overlay storage object is also provided and its attributes are initialized from the dynamic array declaration. The data is accessed as a dimensional indexed array from within the block of statements using the array attribute storage object.

Abstract: A unique system and method for ordering commands may reduce disc access latency while giving preference to pending commands. The method and system involves giving preference to pending commands in a set of priority queues. The method and system involve identifying a pending command and processing other non-pending commands in route to the pending command if performance will not be penalized in doing so. The method and system include a list of command node references referring to a list of sorted command nodes that are to be scheduled for processing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive includes a parameter management table, a parameter adjustment module and an interpolation module. The parameter management table stores a parameter used to write or read data to or from a disk in the parameter management table in association with each of a plurality of predetermined temperature divisions. The parameter adjustment module adjusts a first parameter stored in the parameter management table in association with a first temperature division to a second parameter adapted for the first temperature division if an ambient temperature detected by a temperature detector corresponds to the first temperature division and if the first parameter is unadjusted. The interpolation module updates an unadjusted third parameter corresponding to a third temperature division between the first temperature division and a second temperature division for which the parameter is adjusted based on a result of the adjustment of the first parameter.

Abstract: A method, a tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and a tape library for backing up filesystems are provided. Historic job durations to back up data to a storage device are obtained. Objects to be backed up to multiple drives in the storage device are ordered based on the job durations. The objects are assigned to agents based on priorities that first back up an object having a longest job duration. The objects are backed up with the agents to the multiple drives according to the priorities.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording/reproducing external device data in a broadcast receiver and method thereof are disclosed, by which a broadcast receiver allowed by a certification key is enabled to access a corresponding external device only. The present invention includes a connection checking step of checking a state of a physical connection between an external device and the broadcast receiver, a certification key registration deciding step of deciding whether a reserved certification key is registered, an access allowance deciding step of if the certification key is registered, deciding whether to allow an access to the connected external device by verifying the certification key, and an access allowing step of if the access is allowed, recording/reproducing corresponding data by accessing the connected external device.

Abstract: A tape drive, tape drive recording system, and method are provided for improving tape speed selection during data transfer. The tape drive includes a buffer, a tape for recording the data to be temporarily stored in the buffer, and a read head. The tape drive further includes a reading controller that initially sets a tape speed such that a drive transfer rate matches a host transfer rate as closely as possible and that drives the tape at the tape speed. To address backhitching caused by one or more host transfer halts, the reading controller subsequently adjusts the tape speed such that the drive transfer rate is lower than the host transfer rate by recalculating the host transfer rate in consideration of the host transfer and the host transfer halt and setting the tape speed such that the drive transfer rate matches the recalculated host transfer rate as closely as possible.

Abstract: A microcomputer includes a CPU, a protection information storage configured to store memory protection information specifying an access permission or prohibited state to a memory space by a program executed by the CPU, a memory access control apparatus configured to determine whether or not to allow a memory access request from the CPU according to the memory protection information and a reset apparatus configured to invalidate the memory protection information stored in the protection information storage according to a reset request signal output from the CPU.

Abstract: A digital Storage Element is described. A device is configured including a Storage Element for access by a user responsive to a native control code. A processing arrangement executes a control program for controlling the overall device and executing at least a portion of the native control code as part of the control program for interfacing with the Storage Element. A programming arrangement is provided separate from the device for customizing a read channel within the Storage Element. Command, user interaction and data transfer execution are discussed for mitigation of potential mechanical shock effects. Status indications relating to the Storage Element are provided including head position and mechanical shock. Calibration, test and operational monitoring procedures, for using head position status, are described. Failure configuration monitoring is provided in tracking overall performance and design considerations.

Abstract: A first appliance of a network memory includes a processor configured to receive data. The processor determines whether the data is locally accessible to a second appliance of the network memory and generates an instruction based on the determination in order that the second appliance obtain the data. The processor then transfers the instruction over a communication network to the second appliance. In another first appliance of a network memory, the first appliance includes a processor configured to receive an instruction over a communication network from a second appliance of the network memory. The processor processes the instruction to determine an action to perform to obtain the data. The processor performs the action to obtain the data if the data is locally accessible to the first appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product for “cooling” selected disks in a set of disks connected to a storage system by reducing access frequency to the selected disks and pausing the disks with the reduced access frequency. Pausing some disks advantageously reduces power consumption by the disks.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus and method. The method includes sequentially writing datasets to a recording medium so that each of the datasets can be identified from a certain number indicating an order that the dataset was written, and from the number of writing operations (WP) carried out for the dataset of the certain number to identify a newest dataset among datasets having the same certain number; appending a new dataset onto the old dataset; and controlling execution, in the case where an error occurs at the time of the appending, of the appending step on the old dataset, in a position shifted forward on the recording medium such that the new dataset overwrites a part of the old dataset.

Abstract: Dedicated firewall security for a network attached device (NAD) is provided by a firewall management system integrated directly into the NAD or into a NAD server. A local area network arrangement includes a network client and the NAD and the firewall management system includes computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions that perform the steps of receiving a request for network access to the NAD from the network client, determining whether the request for network access to the NAD is authorized, and only if the request for network access is authorized, providing the network client with network access to the NAD.

Abstract: Arrangements for transfer and replication of data. A host computer retains a transfer volume management information including HDD identifiers corresponding to a plurality of primary volumes and identifiers of at least one of transfer volumes, wherein, from a plurality of volumes in a first storage device, the host computer extracts a reserve volume as an additional transfer volume, if a capacity usage of the at least one of the transfer volumes reaches or goes above a predetermined level, wherein the host computer transmits an allocation request about the additional transfer volume, wherein, after receiving the allocation request, the first storage device implements the reserve volume as the additional transfer volume corresponding to the at least one of transfer volumes for transfer of write data to the second storage device.

Abstract: A control device controls an external storage device with a plurality of storage units which can be driven and stopped independently. The control device comprises: a display control unit; a setting unit; and a control signal output unit. The display control unit displays on a display a selection screen that allows a user to select which storage unit from among the plurality of storage units to operate. The setting unit sets a storage unit selected by the user as an operating storage unit to be operated. The control signal output unit outputs to the external storage device a control signal for having the operating storage unit be operated.

Abstract: A system is provided to ensure a timely secure data erase by determining whether allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance by evaluating a quantity of physical volumes to be secure data erased, a maximum queued threshold, an average time to an erasure deadline and a minimum expiration threshold. An additional tape drive is allocated for the secure data erase process when it is determined that allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a distributed consistency check of a clustered file system. File system functions for loading an inode and/or buffer tree are modified so that in response to either of these functions being invoked, a consistency check is performed. The consistency check verifies both local consistency on a node of the clustered file and a distributed check across the nodes of the storage system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a virtual tape server coupled to at least one tape library, a library manager in communication with the at least one tape library and the virtual tape server, a memory adapted for acting as logical tape storage and a physical tape drive for processing physical tape media adapted for buffering deduplication operations, logic adapted for receiving a data stream from a host system, logic adapted for sending data from the data stream when the data stream is active to at least one of the memory and the tape drive based on whether at least one of a plurality of conditions is met, and logic adapted for sending previously stored data stream data from the tape drive to the memory when the data stream is inactive during a deduplication operation. Other systems and methods are also described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing data with an empty data segment directive at the requesting device. The apparatus, system, and method include a token directive generation module and a token directive transmission module. The token directive generation module generates a storage request with a token directive. The token directive includes a request to store on the storage device a data segment token. The token directive substitutes for a series of repeated, identical characters or a series of repeated, identical character strings to be stored as a data segment. The token directive includes at least a data segment identifier and a data segment length. The data segment token and the token directive are substantially free from data of the data segment. The token directive transmission module transmits the token directive to the storage device.

Abstract: Incremental optimizations and modifications to a disk image can be made after the initial generation of the disk image. In the case of video games, publishers who have access only to a final game image can use the invention to make small improvements to the game disc image without the original game assets and without incurring the cost of generating an entirely new disc image. A mapping data structure represents physical locations of data on disk. The mapping data structure is modified with an editor, and the resulting modified layout is tested using an emulator that emulates interaction between a computer readable medium with the modified layout and computer hardware.

Abstract: A replication synchronization table (RST) is configured for the source instance. The RST is adapted for recording compacted information for at least one of a truncate and an erase operation applied on the source instance. The RST of the source instance is updated at a source component with the compacted information. The updated RST is transmitted from the source instance to the replicated instance. Based on the RST of the source instance and the RST of the replicated instance, data representative of a most recent position on the source component from which data should be transmitted to a replicated component to achieve a full synchronization is determined.

Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating control of a storage device, the method comprising receiving an access request from a first computer requesting access to a storage device; directing, based upon the access request, a first storage controller computer to assume an inactive state with respect to control of the storage device; and directing, based upon the access request, a second storage controller computer to assume an active state with respect to control of the storage device.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems for providing storage virtualization of physical storage include receiving a request for storage from a virtual machine during provisioning of the virtual machine. The request includes a capability and quota requirement for storage as required by the virtual machine. A virtual datastore that satisfies the capability and quota requirements of the request is identified. If not found, one or more volumes, that satisfy the storage requirements, are discovered or created. A virtual datastore is created and maps to one or more volumes which have unique volume identifiers. A unique virtual datastore identifier is generated for the virtual datastore. The virtual datastore identifier is distinct from the volume identifiers of the underlying volumes. The volumes are mapped to the virtual datastore while retaining the virtual datastore identifier for the virtual datastore.

Abstract: A storage device includes a drive selection section (1), a hard disk drive (HDD) (2), and a non-volatile memory drive (3). When an instruction such as a data I/O instruction is issued from a host such as a CPU (5) and an ATA controller (6) to the hard disk drive (HDD) (2), the drive selection section (1) receives the address value. If the address value is included in the address space predefined, the non-volatile memory drive (3) is made to execute the instruction. Otherwise, the hard disk drive (HDD) (2) is made to execute the instruction.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for enforcing policy controls for non-system managed tape media. The apparatus includes an operating system configured to communicate with a tape media drive, and an identification module configured to identify a tape media type of a tape media cartridge. The apparatus may also include a policy module configured to maintain control policies for tape media types, and a media control module configured to enforce the control policies. The system includes a computing system having a processor, a cache, an operating system, and a plurality of input/output interfaces, a tape media drive coupled to the computing system, and the apparatus. The method includes communicating with a tape media drive, identifying a tape media type of a tape media cartridge, maintaining a plurality of control policies for tape media types, and enforcing the plurality of control policies.

Abstract: A storage system provides virtual ports, and is able to transfer the virtual ports among physical ports located on multiple storage control units making up the storage system. The storage system is able to manage logical volumes and/or virtual volumes and virtual ports as a group when considering whether to move logical/virtual volumes and/or virtual ports to another storage control unit in the storage system. When the storage system is instructed to transfer volumes, virtual ports, or a group of volumes and virtual ports among the storage control units, the storage system determines whether an inter-unit network will be required to be used following the transfer. When the storage system determines that the inter-unit network will be required if the transfer takes place, the storage system determines and presents an alternate storage control unit for the transfer to avoid use of the inter-unit network, thereby avoiding degraded performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mass storage system with improved usage of buffer capacity, and more specifically to a mass storage system for real-time data storage with an embedded controller. According to the invention, the mass storage system has a first data path between a real-time data interface and a mass storage array, the first data path including a data buffer without access latency, and a second data path between an embedded processor and the mass storage array, wherein the data buffer without access latency is also used as a data buffer for non real-time data transfers between the embedded processor and the mass storage array.

Abstract: A data storage system stores logical data object(s), each identified by a logical identifier. A control is configured to assign a unique WORM (Write Once Read Many) identifier to the logical data object, and stores the unique WORM identifier as associated with the logical identifier, in a database maintained by the control so as to be persistent. Data storage is configured to write the logical data object with a header with the unique WORM identifier. The control, in order to allow the logical data object to be accessed externally to the control, requires matching the unique WORM identifier in the header of a logical data object to the unique WORM identifier of the persistent database for the logical object. The unique WORM identifier is formed of a checksum hash value related to nonce fields comprising at least the logical identifier of the logical data object, an incrementing token, and a time stamp.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of storage array with frame forwarding capability to reduce the complexity of an IT platform system having a large number of hardware devices. In one embodiment, a storage system comprises one or more storage devices; a storage controller having a storage controller processor and a storage controller memory and being coupled with the one or more storage devices; an interface controller receiving an input/output command directly from a host computer; and an internal bus. The interface controller and the storage controller are coupled by the internal bus. In another embodiment, a storage system comprises one or more storage devices; a storage controller having a processor and a memory and being coupled with the one or more storage devices; and a network interface controller which provides virtual Ethernet bridging.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for accessing host data records stored on a VTS system includes receiving a mount request to access at least one host data record on a VTS system, determining a number of host compressed data records per physical block on a sequential access storage medium, determining a PBID that corresponds to the requested at least one host data record, accessing a physical block on the sequential access storage medium corresponding to the PBID, and outputting the physical block without outputting an entire logical volume that the physical block is stored to. In another embodiment, a VTS system includes random access storage, sequential access storage, support for at least one virtual volume, a storage manager having logic for determining a PBID that corresponds to a SLBID, and logic for performing the above described method. Other methods are also described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for accessing host data records stored in a VTS system includes receiving a mount request to access at least one host data record, determining a SLBID corresponding to the requested host data records, determining a PBID that corresponds to the SLBID, accessing a physical block on a sequential access storage medium corresponding to the PBID, and outputting at least the physical block corresponding to the PBID without outputting an entire logical volume that the physical block is stored to. According to another embodiment, a VTS system includes random access storage, sequential access storage, support for at least one virtual volume, a storage manager having logic for determining a PBID that corresponds to a SLBID, and logic for copying a portion of a logical volume from the sequential access storage to the random access storage without copying the entire logical volume. Other embodiments are disclosed also.